More than 200 arrests during protests in Kazakhstan

Created: 01/05/2022, 08:32 AM

Police officers hold a man during a demonstration in Almaty.

© Vladimir Tretyakov / AP / dpa

After demonstrations against high gas prices in various cities in Kazakhstan in the past few days, the protests have now escalated.

Nur-Sultan - More than 200 people have been arrested in Kazakhstan, Central Asia, following violent riots during protests against high gas prices.

95 security forces were injured, said the Interior Ministry on Wednesday morning in the capital Nur-Sultan. In addition, the government of the republic resigned. The previous Vice-Prime Minister Älichan Smajylow is to take over the official duties temporarily. In the past few days there had been protests with thousands of participants in several cities and villages in the authoritarian country.

Especially in the economic metropolis of Almaty, they culminated in riots on Tuesday.

In some cases, according to the authorities, stones and Molotov cocktails were thrown at security guards.

Police used tear gas and stun grenades, according to local media reports.

Explosion noises could be heard in videos.

Pictures showed police cars on fire.

37 emergency vehicles were damaged, said the Interior Ministry further.

It is one of the biggest waves of protests in recent years.

State of emergency imposed over some parts of the country

President Kassym-Shomart Tokayev called on people to exercise restraint.

He also imposed a state of emergency in some parts of the country until January 19, including in the city of Almaty and the Mangystau region in the west of the oil-rich country.

This is associated with curfews at night, for example.

There were reports of further demonstrations in Almaty on Wednesday.

It was triggered by smaller protests on Saturday in the city of Shangaosen in the west of the republic.

Protesters complained that the price of liquefied gas at gas stations had doubled.

They called for significant price cuts and the resignation of the government.

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According to Tokayev, the Kazakh head of government Askar Mamin drew conclusions from the protests and submitted his resignation.

That means that the entire government is leaving office, said the presidential office.

The ministers remained in office until a new cabinet was formed.

In addition, significant price reductions for liquefied gas in the protest region Mangystau had been ordered, according to the president - in order to "guarantee the stability of the country".

A gas processing plant director was arrested.

There have been reports of price fixing.

dpa